2001 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2001 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 41st in the National Football League (NFL). Despite having a 12th ranked offense, the Vikings finished 5–11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995. Before the end of the season, the team fired head coach Dennis Green, who had become a polarizing force among the Vikings fan base despite his successful coaching tenure with the team. Mike Tice coached the final game of 2001, a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
2001 Minnesota Vikings season | |
---|---|
Owner | Red McCombs |
General manager | Dennis Green |
Head coach | Dennis Green (fired on January 4, 2002, 5-10 record) Mike Tice (interim; 0-1 record) |
Home stadium | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
Results | |
Record | 5–11 |
Division place | 4th NFC Central |
Playoffs | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | C Matt Birk TE Byron Chamberlain |
Uniform | |
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This was the first season since 1989 that defensive tackle John Randle was not on the opening day roster.
The season began in tragic circumstances when offensive tackle Korey Stringer died of heatstroke in training camp.
The season started off with a 24–13 home loss to the Carolina Panthers (which would be the Panthers' lone win). They did not win on the road at all during this season. Some season highlights included a 35–13 win over the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 6, and a Week 10 victory over the New York Giants in which Randy Moss pulled in 10 receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns leading to a 28–16 victory.
This was Cris Carter's final season in Minnesota, having played 12 seasons there, making eight consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (1993–2000), all with the Vikings. He is the team's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He retired at the end of the disappointing season, but would briefly return to play for the Miami Dolphins midway through next season.
Offseason
Summarize
Perspective
Additions | Subtractions |
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WR Jake Reed (Saints) | LB Dwayne Rudd (Browns) |
TE Byron Chamberlain (Broncos) | DT John Randle (Seahawks) |
WR Matthew Hatchette (Jets) |
2001 draft
Pro Bowler |
2001 Minnesota Vikings Draft | |||||
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Draft order | Player name | Position | College | Notes | |
Round | Selection | ||||
1 | 27 | Michael Bennett | Running back | Wisconsin | |
2 | 57 | Willie Howard | Defensive end | Stanford | |
3 | 69 | Eric Kelly | Cornerback | Kentucky | From Patriots[A] |
86 | Traded to the New England Patriots[A] | ||||
4 | 119 | Traded to the New England Patriots[A] | |||
130 | Shawn Worthen | Defensive tackle | TCU | Compensatory pick | |
131 | Cedric James | Wide receiver | TCU | Compensatory pick | |
5 | 157 | Patrick Chukwurah | Linebacker | Wyoming | |
6 | 189 | Carey Scott | Cornerback | Kentucky State | |
7 | 225 | Brian Crawford | Defensive tackle | Western Oregon |
Notes:
Undrafted free agents
Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|
Jeff Hazuga | Defensive End | Wisconsin–Stout |
Jeff Kostrewa | Tight end | Wisconsin–La Crosse |
Haun Paga | Fullback | California |
Brian Russell | Safety | San Diego State |
Mike Solwold | Long snapper/Tight end | Wisconsin |
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Roster
Summarize
Perspective
Preseason
Summarize
Perspective
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | NFL.com recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 11 | at New Orleans Saints | W 28–21 | 1–0 | Alamodome (San Antonio, TX) | 46,752 | Recap |
2 | August 16 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 24–10 | 2–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,790 | Recap |
3 | August 24 | Indianapolis Colts | W 28–21 | 3–0 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 63,804 | Recap |
4 | August 31 | at Miami Dolphins | W 20–7 | 4–0 | Pro Player Stadium | 60,136 | Recap |
Game summaries
Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Saints | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Game information | ||
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Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
- Date: August 11
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 46,752
- Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Vikings | 0 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Game information | ||
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Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: August 16
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 63,790
- Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts | 10 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 21 |
Vikings | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Game information | ||
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Week 4: at Miami Dolphins
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Game information | ||
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Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Regular season
Summarize
Perspective
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Game recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 9 | Carolina Panthers | L 13–24 | 0–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,108 | Recap |
2[A] | September 23 | at Chicago Bears | L 10–17 | 0–2 | Soldier Field | 66,944 | Recap |
3 | September 30 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 20–16 | 1–2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,105 | Recap |
4 | October 7 | at New Orleans Saints | L 15–28 | 1–3 | Louisiana Superdome | 70,020 | Recap |
5 | October 14 | Detroit Lions | W 31–26 | 2–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,048 | Recap |
6 | October 21 | Green Bay Packers | W 35–13 | 3–3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,165 | Recap |
7 | October 28 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 14–41 | 3–4 | Raymond James Stadium | 65,558 | Recap |
8 | Bye week | ||||||
9 | November 11 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 17–48 | 3–5 | Veterans Stadium | 65,638 | Recap |
10 | November 19 | New York Giants | W 28–16 | 4–5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,283 | Recap |
11 | November 25 | Chicago Bears | L 6–13 | 4–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,214 | Recap |
12 | December 2 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 16–21 | 4–7 | Heinz Field | 62,661 | Recap |
13 | December 9 | Tennessee Titans | W 42–24 | 5–7 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,271 | Recap |
14 | December 16 | at Detroit Lions | L 24–27 | 5–8 | Pontiac Silverdome | 72,190 | Recap |
15 | December 23 | Jacksonville Jaguars | L 3–33 | 5–9 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,150 | Recap |
16 | December 30 | at Green Bay Packers | L 13–24 | 5–10 | Lambeau Field | 59,870 | Recap |
17[A] | January 7 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 3–19 | 5–11 | PSINet Stadium | 69,465 | Recap |
Notes
- Intradivision opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
Vikings | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
Game information | ||
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Week 1: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: September 9
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,108
- Referee: Wayne McKreight (166)
- TV announcers (Fox): Ray Bentley, Jeff Lageman, and Mike Goldberg
- Recap, Game Book
Week 2: at Chicago Bears
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Bears | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
Game information | ||
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Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: September 23
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, fog, 63 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 66,944
- Referee: Mike Carey (94)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
Vikings | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
Game information | ||
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Week 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: September 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,105
- Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 4: at New Orleans Saints
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 15 |
Saints | 6 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 28 |
Game information | ||
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Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: October 7
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,020
- Referee: Bill Leavy (127)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lions | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 26 |
Vikings | 7 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
Game information | ||
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Week 5: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: October 14
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,048
- Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Packers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
Vikings | 0 | 20 | 0 | 15 | 35 |
Game information | ||
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Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: October 21
- Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,165
- Referee: Ron Winter (14)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
Buccaneers | 7 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 41 |
Game information | ||
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Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: October 28
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 67 °F (19 °C)
- Game attendance: 65,558
- Referee: Gerald Austin (34)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 9: at Philadelphia Eagles
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Eagles | 7 | 24 | 7 | 10 | 48 |
Game information | ||
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Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Week 10: vs. New York Giants
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Giants | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
Vikings | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
Game information | ||
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Week 10: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: November 19
- Game time: 8:10 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,283
- Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Vikings | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Game information | ||
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Week 11: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: November 25
- Game time: 7:35 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,214
- Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 12: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 16 |
Steelers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
Game information | ||
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Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Date: December 2
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Mostly sunny, 46 °F (8 °C)
- Game attendance: 62,661
- Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 10 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
Vikings | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
Game information | ||
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Week 13: Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Week 14: at Detroit Lions
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 7 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 24 |
Lions | 14 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
Game information | ||
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Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
- Date: December 16
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 72,190
- Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaguars | 10 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 33 |
Vikings | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Game information | ||
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Week 15: Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
Packers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 24 |
Game information | ||
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Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: December 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 19 °F (−7 °C)
- Game attendance: 59,870
- Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
- Recap, Game Book
Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Ravens | 0 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 19 |
Game information | ||
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Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: January 7
- Game time: 9:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,465
- Referee: Gerald Austin (34)
- Recap, Game Book
Standings
NFC Central | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
(2) Chicago Bears | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 338 | 203 | W4 |
(4) Green Bay Packers | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 390 | 266 | W3 |
(6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 324 | 280 | L1 |
Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 290 | 390 | L4 |
Detroit Lions | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 270 | 424 | W1 |
Statistics
Team leaders
Category | Player(s) | Value |
---|---|---|
Passing yards | Daunte Culpepper | 2,612 |
Passing touchdowns | Daunte Culpepper | 14 |
Rushing yards | Michael Bennett | 682 |
Rushing touchdowns | Daunte Culpepper | 5 |
Receiving yards | Randy Moss | 1,233 |
Receiving touchdowns | Randy Moss | 10 |
Points | Gary Anderson | 74 |
Kickoff return yards | Nate Jacquet | 1,012 |
Punt return yards | Nate Jacquet | 219 |
Tackles | Kailee Wong | 98 |
Sacks | Chris Hovan | 6 |
Interceptions | Robert Griffith Eric Kelly | 2 |
Forced fumbles | Patrick Chukwurah | 3 |
League rankings
Category | Total yards | Yards per game | NFL rank (out of 31) |
---|---|---|---|
Passing offense | 3,576 | 223.5 | 7th |
Rushing offense | 1,609 | 100.6 | 25th |
Total offense | 5,185 | 324.1 | 12th |
Passing defense | 3,367 | 210.4 | 18th |
Rushing defense | 2,299 | 143.7 | 30th |
Total defense | 5,666 | 354.1 | 27th |
Notes
- The Vikings were originally scheduled to play the Baltimore Ravens during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 17) at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17.
References
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